Pumpkin decorating kit

ABSTRACT

A children&#39;s kit for illuminative decoration of the exterior shell ( 17 ) of a pumpkin, without requiring a carving knife. The kit ( 10 ) consists of packaging ( 12 ), light pegs ( 60 ), a pattern sheet ( 30 ), a tool ( 100 ), and light ( 25 ). The light pegs ( 60 ) are a light transmissive material that can be colored and have a length at least equal to the pumpkin shell thickness. Each light peg ( 60 ) has a first end ( 66 ) that is convergent to pierce the exterior shell wall ( 17 ) and is operative to collect light, a shaft portion ( 68 ) to transmit light to a second end with an enlarged peg head ( 62 ). The enlarged peg head ( 62 ) protrudes above the shell surface and is operative to disperse light. The pattern ( 30 ) locates the light pegs ( 60 ) on the pumpkin shell ( 15 ), with the tool ( 100 ) used to drive the light pegs ( 60 ) through the pumpkin shell. The light ( 25 ) is placed inside the open interior of the pumpkin ( 14 ) to illuminate the light pegs ( 60 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] This application is a division of co-pending application Ser. No.09/889,388, filed Oct. 20, 2000, entitled “Pumpkin Decorating Kit andMethod Using Light Guiding Pegs”, which was the National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/US00/41420, which claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/160,849, filed Oct. 21, 1999, nowabandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a kit for illuminativedecoration of an exterior surface portion of a shell wall formed from alarge item of produce. More particularly, the present invention isdirected to a kit using light guiding pegs for creating a pattern on asurface to be decorated. Specifically, the present invention is directedto a kit for decorating surfaces of large vegetables or produce having aselected shell wall thickness and an open interior, such as pumpkins,with holiday themes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The provision of decorative designs on exposed surfaces has beenknown since the earliest cavemen first scratched or painted animalsketches on the walls of their dwellings. As is well known, a variety oftechniques are available for decorating surfaces, including printing,painting, carving, stenciling, etc. The present invention, however, isdirected to forming patterns on a surface in a new and useful mannerthat may be particularly implemented by children. Even morespecifically, the present invention concerns decorating items ofproduce, such as pumpkins, in order to provide a decorative holidaytheme. Of particular concern is providing a method and a kit fordecorating pumpkins for Halloween.

[0004] As is known, pumpkin carving has long been one of the severalways in which Halloween is celebrated. Traditionally, pumpkin carvinginvolves the removal of a portion of the pumpkin shell surrounding thestem, removal of the seeds and fibers contained in the pumpkin andthereafter carving humorous, grotesque or other decorative featurespartially or whollythrough the pumpkin shell by removing fleshy portionsof the shell to obtain the desired appearance. Internal illumination isthen provided either by a candle or a battery operated light to resultin a glowing decorative pattern.

[0005] In the past, pumpkin carving was typically accomplished with theuse of pocketknives, paring knives, and the like. Due to the size ofthese cutting instruments, a typical carver was only able to obtainlimited, fairly large-scaled decorative features. These knives can bequite difficult to control, and this, in conjunction with the sharpnessof the knife, exposes the carver to the danger of injury. The result isthat pumpkin carving exhibits a fairly high degree of danger for youngchildren so that pumpkin carving was often done by an adult parent orolder sibling. This, of course, reduces the enjoyment to the youngerchild from the pumpkin carving festivity.

[0006] In order to meet the need for safer instruments that might beutilized to carve decorative appearances in pumpkin shells, a pumpkincarving kit was developed and was described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,114issued May 9, 1989 to John P. Bardeen. This pumpkin carving kit allowsmore intricate designs to be carved in the pumpkin shell and increasesthe safety over normal, pre-existing carving techniques for children,adults and the like. While this pumpkin carving kit exhibited a superiorsolution in response to the desire to carve pumpkins, there remained aneed for safe pumpkin decorating techniques available to even youngerchildren or as an alternative to pumpkin carving.

[0007] Other techniques have been known in the past to decoratepumpkins, and a primary example is the placing of decorative stickers onthe pumpkin shell. Here, for example, decorative elements such as eyes,ears, noses, mouths and teeth are configured out of brightly coloredpaper-like material that is provided with an adhesive backing. The usersimply selects the desired features and sticks each feature at a desiredlocation on the pumpkin shell. While this provides enjoyment for a smallchild and is safe, it fairly limits the festive event since very littletime is involved in applying the stickers to the pumpkin shell.Additionally, the resulting pumpkin creation does not entertain theprospect of being interiorly lit in the manner in which carved Halloweenpumpkins generally are presented.

[0008] Accordingly, there remains a need for improved surface decoratingtechniques that may be specially employed by children and which providea satisfying creation as an end result. These techniques need to be safeand easy to implement while providing increased enjoyment for thedecorating experience. Moreover, there remains a need for an improvedkit, especially usable by children that may be employed in thedecorating of pumpkins for Halloween.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new anduseful pumpkin decorating kit that is especially constructed for use byvery young children, such as those of an age of six (6) or younger.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a asimplified pumpkin decorating kit that eliminates the need for carvingand which provides a brightly illuminated appearance.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide apumpkin decorating kit that employs techniques that are familiar tochildren.

[0012] According to the present invention a kit for the illuminativedecoration of an exterior surface of an item of produce is provided.Broadly, the kit includes a plurality of light pegs constructed of alight transmissive material and having a length at least equal to thethickness of the shell wall of the item of produce. The kit alsoincludes a tool adapted to drive the light pegs through the exteriorsurface of the shell wall so that a portion will be able to opticallycommunicate with the open interior of the item of produce. The drivingtool according to the present invention preferably includes an enlargedhead having at least one flat surface adapted to contact a portion ofsaid light pegs and an elongated handle extending radially outwardlyfrom the enlarged head along a longitudinal axis. The enlarged head maybe cylindrical in shape and extend transversely to the longitudinal axisbetween a first end and a second end. The driving tool according to thepresent invention is preferably in the form of a mallet having anenlarged cylindrical head and a handle.

[0013] The kit can also include one or more pattern sheets and anillumination device with the components of the kit being containedwithin suitable packaging. The pattern sheet is adapted to attach to theexterior surface portion of the shell wall and is marked to locatepositions for at least some of the light pegs corresponding to adecorative pattern. In any event, each pattern sheet locates a positionfor at least some of the light pegs by using elements selected from agroup consisting of pattern holes, pattern dots and lines. Theillumination device is preferably an electrically illumination devicesuch as one that is battery operated. The battery powered light may havea flashing bulb to give a desired flashing effect. Moreover, theillumination device may have a base that is operative to penetrate intothe shell wall to independently support the illumination device in theopen interior of the item of produce.

[0014] Preferably, the light pegs are each constructed as an integralone-piece molding of a light transmissive material and come in at leastthree different colors. Accordingly, the pattern sheet may have markingsthat are correlated to the light peg's colors instructing thepositioning of selected colors at selected locations. The light pegs mayhave a peg head and an elongated shaft extending from the peg head andterminating in a tip portion. The peg head may be provided with facets,grooves, ribs or images in order to enhance the aesthetic effect of thelight emitted therefrom. The shaft preferably has a convergent endportion. The shaft may be coated with a light reflective material ifdesired. Alternatively, the shaft can have longitudinal grooves.

[0015] These and other objects of the present invention will become morereadily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the followingdetailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a front view in elevation showing a pumpkin decoratingkit according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a front view in elevation showing a partially decoratedpumpkin according to the kit and method of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a front view in elevation of a representative decorativepattern for use on a pumpkin according to the kit and method of thepresent invention;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pumpkin having affixed theretothe pattern of FIG. 3;

[0020]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the pattern shown inFIG. 3;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a light peg used to decorate apumpkin according to the kit and method of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a side view in cross-section of the light peg of FIG. 6;

[0023]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the head portion of the light peg ofFIG. 6;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a side view in elevation of the distal light collectingtip portion of the light peg of FIGS. 6 and 7;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a pumpkin shellhaving inserted therethrough a light peg according to the presentinvention;

[0026]FIG. 11 is an enlarged view, similar to FIG. 10, but broken awayas showing multiple light paths for light rays passing through the lightpeg of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of thelensing surface of the light peg of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative mallet for use inthe kit according to the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 14 is a side view in elevation of the head portion of themallet of FIG. 13;

[0030]FIG. 15 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of thelensing surface of the light peg of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of thelensing surface of the light peg of the present invention; and

[0032]FIG. 17 is a side view in elevation of the head portion of themallet of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The present invention is generally directed to a pumpkindecorating kit, but the present invention particularly concerns apumpkin decorating kit that may be used by very small children, such asthose of an age of six (6) or less.

[0034] Accordingly, the present invention contemplates a method fordecorating a pumpkin that is easy and that may be used with less adultsupervision than that normally accompanying pumpkin sculpting orcarving. The present invention also discloses a novel light peg that iscentral to the kit and method of the present invention.

[0035] With reference first to FIG. 1, a pumpkin decorating kitaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.Here, kit 10 is formed by a package 12 that contains, mounts orotherwise displays for sale the components thereof. Pumpkin decoratingkit 10 includes a light source 25, a bag 50 of light pegs, preferably ofat least three different colors, and a driving tool such as a mallet100, all as more thoroughly described below. In addition,pumpkin-decorating kit 10 preferably contains one or more patterns, suchas pattern 30 (FIGS. 3 and 4). It should be understood that a lightsource or illuminative device 25 is of any convenient construction, butis preferably a battery operated light that may have a flashing bulb asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,092 B1 issued Oct. 30, 2001 to Bardeenet al., which accomplishes the purposes described below. A base 26 isadapted to mount the light source to the bottom of the pumpkin.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 2, it may be seen that representativepumpkin 14 has an access port or lid 16 formed therein to provide anaccess opening to the interior region or cavity of the pumpkin. Tofacilitate decorating, the interior of the pumpkin is cleaned to removethe internal matter normally being seeds and fibrous contents thereof toform an open interior cavity, for example, by means of a scraper/scoopsuch as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,050 issued Mar. 3, 1992 toBardeen. In FIG. 2, it may be seen that pumpkin 14 is partiallydecorated with holiday theme (Halloween) features such as eye 20,eyebrow 21, nose 22 and mouth 23. In addition, as is shown FIG. 2,pumpkin 14 includes a transfer guide for an eye 20′, a transfer pattern21′ for an eyebrow and the remainder of the transfer pattern for themouth 23′. Each of transfer patterns 20′, 21′ and 23′ are formed by dotsthat are transferred from a pattern sheet to the pumpkin 14 as describedbelow. Moreover, it should be appreciated that each of facial features20-23 are formed by a plurality of light pegs 60 that are insertedthrough the exterior surface of the shell wall and through the shellwall of the pumpkin 14 at the locations of the dots forming the eyefacial features transferred from the pattern.

[0037] A representative pattern sheet 30 according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 3. Pattern sheet 30 generally includesvarious enlarged design element templates for transferring a pattern tothe surface of pumpkin 14. Here, eye templates 20″, eyebrow templates21″, nose template 22″ and mouth template 23″ are shown, arranged in arepresentative face pattern. Each template includes a plurality ofpattern holes 32, which may be pre-cut or scored, or which may beprinted on pattern sheet 30 in a medium such as indelible ink. Here,pattern sheet 30 displays a design of pattern holes 32, which isidentical to the pattern, formed on pumpkin 14 in FIG. 2. Additionally,pattern sheet 30 includes a plurality of cut lines 34 provided at eachedge as well as circumference cut line 36. Pattern sheet 30 may be cutaround circumference cut line 36 to provide a generally circularpattern, and severed a portion of the distance of each edge towards thecenter of pattern sheet 30 which allows pattern sheet 30 to be placedaround the generally spherical contour of the pumpkin to be decorated.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, pattern sheet 30 is attached to the surfaceof pumpkin 14, such as by adhesive tape 40. Pattern sheet 30 may overlapitself near severed cut lines 34, thereby to contour to pumpkin 14. Thepattern may be transferred to the surface of pumpkin 14 by using acrayon, marker, pen or other suitable device to mark over the area ofoutlined bands 50, as shown in FIG. 5, that flank the open pattern holes32 of the enlarged features of pattern sheet 30. This transfers thepattern of pattern sheet 30 as a series of colored dots on the surfaceof pumpkin 14, such as the transfer shown in FIG. 2. Optionally, thecrayon, marker, pen or other instrument may be used to wholly orpartially color in the interior of pattern holes 32 without drawing onpattern sheet 30. Pattern sheet 30 may also have marking that iscorrelated to light peg 60 colors.

[0039] Alternatively, a device such as a push pin or one of light pegs60 may be used to transfer the pattern of pattern sheet 30 to pumpkin 14by pushing the device into the surface of pumpkin 14 through patternsheet 30 and subsequently removing the device thereby to leave a hole inthe surface of pumpkin 14 corresponding to each of pattern holes 32.Such method is especially preferred when pattern holes 32 of patternsheet 30 are simply drawn or imprinted on, rather than cut into, patternsheet 30. After the pattern has been transferred, the pattern sheet 30is removed from pumpkin 14 and the shell of pumpkin 14 is ready for theinsertion of light pegs 60 to form facial features 20-23, as shown inFIG. 2. Additionally, it should be appreciated that, in lieu oftransferring a pattern to pumpkin 14 by the methods discussed above,light pegs 60 may be inserted, by the methods described below, directlythrough pattern holes 32 and into pumpkin 14. In such case, the patternsheet 30 would then be removed from the pumpkin surface, thereby leavingthe light pegs 60 in the desired pattern on the pumpkin surface.

[0040] A representative light peg is shown in FIGS. 6-9. Here, light peg60 includes an enlarged light emitting head 62 that has a curvedshoulder portion 64 proximate thereto. A first end distallight-collecting tip 66 is at the opposite end of shaft 68. Light peg 60is formed of any suitable material but is preferably a lighttransmissive material such as a transparent plastic that may be clear ortinted a desired color. Light collecting tip 66 is configured to collectlight from the interior of a hollowed out pumpkin 14 from the lightsource 25 and to conduct or transmit light collected by tip 66 alongshaft 68 to a second end emitting head 62 to disperse the light.Accordingly, it is desired that shaft 68 achieve as much internalreflection as possible in a manner to that known in the fiber optic art.

[0041] In any event, as is shown in FIG. 7, light peg 60 has a length ofat least being equal to the shell wall thickness, with a length “l₁”that is preferably about 1.75 inches (44.55 mm). Head 62 has a diameter“d₁” that is preferably 0.38 inches (9.53 mm). Head 62 includes a flatcylindrical rim portion 70 that preferably has a length of “l₂” in thedirection of longitudinal central axis “L” with “l₂” being approximately0.03 inches (0.79 mm). Shoulder 64 tapers from rim 70 in a smooth mannerto extend into shaft 68. Shaft 68 is preferably cylindrical and has adiameter “d₂” that is approximately 0.13 inches (3.30 mm).

[0042] With reference to FIG. 8, it may be seen that head 62 has alensing surface 72 that is arcuately configured at a radius “r₁” havinga center point on axis “L”, with “r₁” being sized to provide a generalcurve to lensing surface 72 that is operative to transmit light in adivergent pattern. As is seen in FIG. 8, lensing surface 72 extendstransversely of axis “L” and is designed to emit light that is collectedby collecting tip 66 and transmitted through shaft 68 to head 62.Shoulder 64 is also formed at a radius, with this radius “r₂” beingabout 0.4 inches (10.31 mm).

[0043] First light collecting end or distal tip 66 is best shown in FIG.9 having a convergent end portion that is operative to pierce theexterior surface of the shell wall and through the shell wall. Theconvergent end is formed at two different radii of curvature. Theextreme distal tip 67 is formed at a radius of curvature “r₃” that ispreferably about 0.01 inch (0.30 mm). The portions 69 of distal tip 66which extend from cylindrical shaft 68 to distal point 67 are formed ata radius of curvature “r₄” that is preferably about 0.1 inch (2.54 mm).It should be understood that any suitable converging tip thatfacilitates insertion of the light pegs may be suitable but it ispreferable that the tip not be excessively sharp to reduce any danger toa young child.

[0044] With reference now to FIG. 10, it may be seen that arepresentative light peg 60 is constructed to pierce the exteriorsurface of the shell wall 17 and through the shell wall 15 of thepumpkin. To this end, the method of the present invention contemplatesthat an access port or lid 16 is cut in pumpkin 14 after which theinternal matter normally being seeds and fleshy pulp are removed fromthe interior cavity of the pumpkin 14, to form an open interior cavityas described above in reference to FIG. 2. Shell 15 is then thinned fromthe open interior cavity by scraping until it reaches a selectedthickness, preferably approximately one to one-half inches (25.4 mm to12.7 mm). The pattern to be created on the pumpkin is either thentransferred using pattern sheet 30, as described above in reference toFIGS. 3-5. Typically, a single design feature will be formed by aplurality of light pegs 60. Light pegs 60 are then inserted or driventhrough the exterior surface of the shell wall 17 and through the shellwall 15, as is shown in FIG. 10, in a manner not unlike a nail.Alternatively, as discussed above, light pegs 60 may be driven throughshell 15 directly through pattern sheet 30 without first transferringthe pattern to pumpkin 14. Shoulder 64 of head 62 acts as a stop asshaft 68 creates a bore 76 in shell 15 so that the shoulder and headportion of light peg 60 protrudes from the exterior surface 17 ofpumpkin 14. It should be understood that shell 15 must be thinnedsufficiently so that distal collector tip 66 protrudes or communicatesinto the interior region of the pumpkin so that light from anillumination source placed therein may be collected by tip 66 andtransmitted by shaft 68 to emitting head 62. The light transmission ofmultiple paths is shown in FIG. 11. Here, it should be appreciated thatlensing surface 72 along with shoulder 64 act to disperse light on theexterior surface of the shell wall 17 to cause a glowing of each head 62that is highly visible when a suitable light source is placed in theopen interior cavity of the pumpkin for illumination. These multiplelight paths are represented by arrowed lines 80 and 82. The light peg 60ultimately is operative to transmit light from the interior to theexterior of the shell wall 15 so as to be visible by an externalobserver.

[0045] To enhance the illumination and to give a sparkly effect to theilluminated design: facets, images, or grooves may be added to the headof the light peg. FIGS. 12, 15, and 16 show alternative heads 164, 264and 364 with different light emitting head. In FIG. 12, light emittinghead 160 has a plurality of facets 190 that are cut equiangularlytherearound and extend radially from a center “C” of head 164 to theouter perimeter 192 that is defined by a cylindrical rim 170. In FIG.15, head 260 and image 261 (an eye) is formed by ribs 292 located onsurface 272. In FIG. 16, diagonal channels 394 are formed in surface 372of head 364. The invention is not, however, limited to theseconfigurations, as the skilled artisan could design other configurationsto produce various aesthetic effects.

[0046] It should be understood that the light pegs 160 are preferablyintegral pieces of molded transparent plastic material such as variousresins (including generic acrylic polymers), plastics, polymers, etc.Alternative combinations of facets, images, ribs or grooves may bemolded as part of the light pegs or may be formed by cutting or theenlarged head. It is preferred, however, that they be molded intolensing surface 172 as part of the formation operation. Alternatively,the lensing surface 172 may be formed with a pattern.

[0047] Additionally, various methods of increasing the transmission oflight along light peg 60 are contemplated. For example, as is shown inFIG. 18, light peg 460 has a coating 463 formed of shaft 468, with anoptically reflective material, thereby to increase the transmission oflight from tip 466 to emitting head 462. Note that the coating shall notextend over tip 466 and emitting head 462 to preserve the function oflight collection of tip 466 and light emission of head 462.Alternatively, as is shown in FIG. 19, light pegs 560 may be scored withincisions 596, that are adapted to focus light collected from tip 566toward emitting head 568. Other methods known in the fiber opticsindustry may additionally be used.

[0048] As noted above, it is desired that the user, such as a youngchild less than six (6) years of age, be able to pound or drive lightpegs, such as light peg 60 through shell 15 of pumpkin 14. To accomplishthis, the kit according to the present invention includes a wooden orplastic mallet 100 as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 17. In FIG. 17, mallet 100has an enlarged cylindrical head 102 having a diameter “d₄” of about1.38 inches (35.1 mm), and an axial length “t₂” of about 1.5 inches(38.1 mm) between the opposite flat ends 104. A handle 106 having adiameter “d₅” of about 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) projects radially from thehead 102. The handle 106 extends about 5.0 inches (127 mm) from thecylindrical head 102 and is positioned centrally thereof between theopposite flat ends 104, with the handle terminating in a free end 108 asshown in FIG. 1. An alternative mallet is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.Here, mallet 200 has a cylindrical head 202 that preferably has adiameter “d₃” that is 1.5 inches (38.1 mm) and a thickness “t₁” that ispreferably 1.5 inches (38.1 mm) but may be 1 inch (25.4 mm). A handle204 extends radially outwardly from cylindrical surface 206 to terminateat a free end 208. Handle 204 preferably has a length of approximately 5inches (127 mm). Naturally, other suitable constructions of mallets 100and 200 are within the scope of the present invention.

[0049] In any event it should be understood that other tools such asblocks, could be used to drive pegs 60 through the shell wall. In anyevent such tool should be sized and configured for use by a child of agesix (6) or less.

[0050] Accordingly, the present invention has been described with somedegree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the presentinvention is defined by the following claims construed in light of theprior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention without departing from the inventiveconcepts contained herein.

We claim:
 1. A kit for illuminative decoration of an exterior surfaceportion of a shell wall formed from an item of produce to have aselected shell wall thickness and an open interior, comprising: (A) aplurality of light pegs constructed of a light transmissive material andhaving a length at least equal to the shell wall thickness; and (B) amallet adapted to drive said light pegs through the exterior surfacesuch that a portion thereof optically communicates with the openinterior of the item of produce.
 2. A kit for illuminative decorationaccording to claim 1 wherein said light pegs are of at least threedifferent colors.
 3. A kit for illuminative decoration according toclaim 1 further including a pattern sheet adapted to attach to theexterior surface portion of the shell wall and marked to locatepositions for at least some of said light pegs corresponding to adecorative pattern wherein said light pegs are provided in a pluralityof colors, said pattern sheet has markings that are correlated to lightpeg colors for instruction on positioning of selected colors at selectedlocations.
 4. A kit for illuminative decoration according to claim 1further including a pattern sheet adapted to attach to the exteriorsurface portion of the shell wall and marked to locate positions for atleast some of said light pegs corresponding to a decorative pattern. 5.A kit for illuminative decoration according to claim 4 wherein saidpattern sheet locates positions for at least some of said light pegs byusing elements selected from a group consisting of pattern holes,pattern dots, and lines.
 6. A kit for illuminative decoration accordingto claim 1 including an illumination device adapted to be placed in theopen interior of the item of produce.
 7. A kit for illuminativedecoration according to claim 9 further including a pattern sheetadapted to attach to the exterior surface portion of the shell wall andmarked to locate positions for at least some of said light pegscorresponding to a decorative pattern.
 8. A kit for illuminativedecoration according to claim 6 wherein said illumination device is abattery powered light.
 9. A kit for illuminative decoration according toclaim 6 wherein said illumination device is adapted to be placed in theopen interior of the item of produce by use of a base that is operativeto penetrate into the shell wall to independently support saidillumination device in the open interior of the item of produce.
 10. Akit for illuminative decoration according to claim 1 further includingan illumination device independent of said light pegs and adapted to beplaced in the open interior of the item of produce and operative to emitlight, said light pegs operative to transmit the light from the interiorof the shell wall so as to create an illuminative decorative patternthat is visible to an external observer.
 11. A kit for illuminativedecoration of an exterior surface portion of a shell wall formed from anitem of produce to have a selected shell wall thickness and an openinterior, comprising: (A) a plurality of light pegs each constructed asan integral one-piece molding of a light transmissive material andhaving a length at least equal to the shell wall thickness, said lightpegs including (1) a peg head; and (2) an elongated shaft extending fromsaid peg head and terminating in a tip portion; and (B) a tool adaptedto drive said light pegs through the exterior surface such that aportion thereof optically communicates with the open interior of theitem of produce.
 12. A kit for illuminative decoration according toclaim 11 wherein said shaft has a convergent end portion opposite ofsaid peg head that is adapted to facilitate penetration of said shaftthrough the shell wall.
 13. A kit for illuminative decoration accordingto claim 11 wherein at least one of said peg heads has an outer surfaceformed with light reflective structures selected from a group consistingof facets, grooves, and images.
 14. A kit for illuminative decorationaccording to claim 11 wherein some of said shafts are coated with anoptically reflective material.
 15. A kit for illuminative decorationaccording to claim 11 wherein some of said elongated shafts haveincision grooves located on an outside surface of said shaft.
 16. A kitfor illuminative decoration of an exterior surface portion of a shellwall formed from an item of produce to have a selected shell wallthickness and an open interior, comprising: (A) a plurality of lightpegs constructed of a light transmissive material and having a length atleast equal to the shell wall thickness; and (B) a driving tooloperative when in use to drive each of said light pegs through theexterior surface such that a portion thereof optically communicates withthe open interior of the item of produce, said driving tool including,(1) an enlarged head having at least one flat surface adapted to contacta portion of said light pegs so as to drive said light pegs through theexterior surface of the item of produce; and (2) an elongated handleextending radially outwardly from said enlarged head along alongitudinal axis.
 17. A kit for illuminative decoration according toclaim 16 wherein said enlarged head is cylindrical in shape and extendstransversely to the longitudinal axis between a first flat end and asecond flat end.
 18. A kit for illuminative decoration according toclaim 17 wherein said handle is located between said first and secondends of said enlarged cylindrical head.
 19. A kit for illuminativedecoration according to claim 16 further including an illuminationdevice independent of said light pegs and adapted to be placed in theopen interior of the item of produce and operative to emit light, saidlight pegs operative to transmit the light from the interior of theshell wall so as to create an illuminative decorative pattern that isvisible to an external observer.
 20. A kit for illuminative decorationaccording to claim 16 further including a pattern sheet adapted toattach to the exterior surface portion of the shell wall and marked tolocate positions for at least some of said light pegs corresponding to adecorative pattern.